Spain’s Golden Visa has been abolished: what changed on 3 April 2025 and what the alternatives are

The end of Spain’s Golden Visa: what changed

In short: since 3 April 2025 Spain has not issued investor visas or investor residence permits. The ground was abolished by law, not suspended, so it should not be counted on in planning.

The government announced its intention to close the programme in April 2024. The abolition was set out in the twenty-first final provision of Organic Law 1/2025 on measures to improve the efficiency of the justice service. The law was published in the Official State Gazette in January 2025 and this part took effect three months later, on 3 April 2025.

Permits already issued and applications already filed

In short: the law protected the rights of those who entered the programme in time. This does not help new applicants, but holders of current residence cards have nothing to worry about.

• Applications filed before 3 April 2025 are decided under the rules in force on the filing date.
• Visas and permits already issued remain valid until the expiry date in the decision.
• Renewals are decided under the rules in force on the date of the initial permit.
• Applications filed after 3 April 2025 are not accepted on the investor ground and are considered only under the general immigration rules.

The investment routes that closed

The abolition covered more than property. Articles 63-67 of Law 14/2013 described every form of the investor visa, so all the thresholds in the table are closed.

Foreigners can still buy property in Spain, but the purchase itself no longer gives a right to residence.

Grounds for Spanish residence after the abolition

In short: Spain remains open to foreigners with income or capital. The ground is now chosen by the source of money and the family’s plans rather than by the size of an investment.

• Non-lucrative residence. For those who live on passive income or savings. Funds of €28,800 a year for the applicant, with a separate amount added for each family member. More on the Spanish non-lucrative residence page.
• Digital nomad visa. For employees of foreign companies and freelancers with foreign clients; income from €2,850 a month for the applicant and a residence card for 3 years straight away. More on the Spanish residence for remote workers page.
• Entrepreneurs and highly qualified professionals. The abolition did not affect these grounds of Law 14/2013: they require a business plan or an employment contract, not an investment threshold.

Taxes when moving to Spain

Spanish tax residence arises if you spend more than 183 days a year in the country or move your centre of economic interests there. For people moving to work there is a special regime for expatriates known as the Beckham Law: 24% on Spanish employment income up to €600,000 a year for six tax years. The regime’s conditions and its compatibility with the chosen residence ground are checked before the move.

Residence by investment elsewhere in Europe

If the investment route itself matters to you, look at the countries where it still works.

A detailed comparison is in the article Greece or Spain and on the residency programme comparison page.